Dante Alighieri Catholic Academy - tcdsb.org

39 Pages·2014·0.51 MB·English

by  Art Prep

Dante Alighieri
Catholic Academy

The Student Handbook

2014/2015
MONARCH CATHOLIC VALUES

Dante IS DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE HIGH STANDARDS.

WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

OUR CONDUCT IS EXEMPLARY.

1. We welcome everyone:
Everyone matters and deserves our attention and respect.

2. We know our words matter:
Cursing, swearing and hurtful phrases are harmful, disrespectful and not allowed in our
community.

3. We smile and say good morning:
We are a community of caring people.

4. We show MONARCH P.R.I.D.E.:
In everything - Preparation. Respect. Integrity. Diligence. Excellence.

5. We are kind:
We are called to help everyone in our community.
Dante Alighieri Catholic
Academy

Dante Campus (Grades 10-12) Beatrice Campus (Grade 9)
60 Playfair Ave., Toronto, ON, M6B 2P9 50 Ameer Ave., Toronto, ON, M6A 2L3
Telephone: [phone] Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone] Facsimile: [phone]
Dante Website: www.tcdsb.org Dante Website: www.tcdsb.org

NAME: ___________________________

DANTE ALIGHIERI (b.1265-d.1321)
Dante's idealized love for a beautiful girl,
Beatrice Portinari (1266-1290), provided
much inspiration for his literary works. He
saw her only twice, once when he was nine
and again nine years later. Although grief-
stricken after Beatrice's death, Dante
married Gemma Donati before 1294.

Dante wrote The Divine Comedy while in
exile (1302-1321). The poem describes the
steps in his spiritual development and
focuses the reader's attention on life after
death. It is an allegory of the world beyond
the grave; it is an allegory of the life and
destiny of a person. It is divided into three
major parts: Hell, Purgatory and Heaven.

Guided by the Latin Poet, Virgil, Dante
begins his allegorical journey in The Inferno
Dante Alighieri was one of the greatest on Good Friday morning. On the Mountain
of Purgatory, Beatrice becomes Dante's
poets of the Middle Ages. He was born in
guide and leads him to Heaven and to God.
Florence, Italy and received a rich education
In The Divine Comedy, Dante teaches that
in classical and religious subjects, studying
through knowledge, good choices and
in centers such as Bologna, Padua and Paris.
divine grace, we too will ultimately arrive at

our destination, and experience eternal
Dante’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy,
happiness with God.
ranks among the world's finest works of

literature. Critics have praised it, not only as
“Consider your origins; you were not made
magnificent poetry, but also for its wisdom
to live as brutes but to follow virtue and
and scholarly learning. Many scholars
knowledge” (Inferno, Canto XXVI)
consider it to be a summary of medieval
thought. He had a tremendous influence on
later writers and scholars.

MISSION STATEMENT

Dante Alighieri Catholic Academy is comprised of students, parents, teachers and support staff
who are working in an equitable partnership to foster personal growth, academic excellence
and community outreach in a student-focused, Christ-centred learning environment.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

It is a pleasure for me to welcome each of you to Dante Alighieri Catholic Academy. As we
begin this new school year, it is my great wish that we will use the unique gifts and talents that
God has given each of us, to make this school year enjoyable and excellent.

As we journey together, we may face many changes and challenges, making it even more
imperative to develop effective organization, time management and good study habits. To
assist you in this regard, we offer you this wonderful tool – The Student Handbook.

This Student Handbook is also a practical and important tool as it holds the board and school
policies and procedures. As a Dante student, it is your responsibility to know what is in the
Student Handbook and to be familiar with the policies and protocols of the school. Please read
the pages carefully so that you have no doubt as to what is expected of you.

In the words of Benjamin Disraeli, “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his
time when it comes”. This is your time – enjoy every moment of it!

To Your Success.

F. Cifelli
Principal

ONTARIO CATHOLIC SCHOOL GRADUATE EXPECTATIONS

The Ontario Catholic School Graduate is expected to be:

A discerning believer formed in the Catholic faith community who celebrates the signs and
sacred mysteries of God’s presence through word, sacrament, prayer, forgiveness, reflection
and moral living;

An effective communicator, who speaks, writes and listens honestly and sensitively, responding
critically in light of gospel values;

A reflective creative and holistic thinker who solves problems and makes responsible decisions
with an informed moral conscience for the common good;

A self-directed responsible life-long learner who develops and demonstrates his/her God-given
potential;

A collaborative contributor who finds meaning, dignity and vocation in work which respects the
rights of all and contributes to the common good;

A caring family member who attends to family, school, parish, and the wider community;

A responsible citizen who gives witness to Catholic social teaching by promoting peace, justice,
and the sacredness of human life.
T.C.D.S.B. MISSION AND VISION

In a school community formed by Catholic beliefs and traditions, our Mission is to educate
pupils to their full potential by providing:
• leadership is the shared responsibility for education that exists among the school, the
pupil, the family, the parish and the community;
• a safe and welcoming learning environment that is an example of Christian community;
• role models of Gospel Values and Catholic doctrines, teachings and beliefs;
• guidance in what pupils need to learn;
• instruction in the learning process itself;
• religious, academic and technical instruction;
• integration of Catholic, Christian beliefs into the total learning experience;
• feedback on the pupil’s proficiency and progress.

We envision pupils who:
• are formed in the Catholic faith;
• apply Christian values to life’s opportunities, challenges and choices;
• display self-esteem and self-respect;
• strive to be the best they can be;
• demonstrate skills for nurturing healthy family life;
• demonstrate global perspective and community responsibility;
• demonstrate relevant skills.

CHAPLAINCY PROGRAMME

The focus of the chaplaincy program at Dante Alighieri Catholic Academy is to encourage and to
provide opportunities for staff and students to integrate their Christian faith into their lives.

To bring this into reality the Chaplaincy program strives to:
• provide a ministry of presence;
• build a Christian community;
• be an integral part of the school community;
• lead Liturgical celebrations, retreat experiences, and community outreach.

Liturgical Services

The focus of the Chaplaincy program is achieved by providing monthly Eucharistic liturgies,
seasonal school Eucharistic liturgies, para-liturgies, penitential services, retreats for all staff and
students and opportunity for volunteer service. Time will also be available to provide support
to staff and students through individual contacts and peer-programs. As our faith is
strengthened and lived out on a daily basis, our efforts to create a more loving, reconciling and
peaceful world will be initiated. All of us will experience a faithful and loving Christian
community, one in which we pursue education endeavors.
Liturgies and Retreats

At various times in the year, students shall participate in scheduled liturgies and retreats. Such
involvement is not only compulsory but is essential in building a demonstrated commitment and
witness to a Christian faith in our Catholic high school. These activities are a vital part of our
school curriculum.

By voluntarily choosing this school, a student agrees that participation in the various religious
activities including the liturgies, retreats and other special events is a compulsory component
for everyone in our community. There will be no exemptions granted nor should they be
requested or even considered.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (CSAC)

The CSAC provides a forum through which parents and other members of the school community
can influence their children’s education and contribute to improving student achievement and
school performance. Principals consult with their CSACs on a variety of matters that affect
student learning and seek recommendations from them.

A school council consists of parents (the majority), the Principal or Vice Principal, a teacher, a
non-teaching employee, a student and one or more community representatives. Council
members are elected for a one-year term that lasts from the first meeting of one year to the
first meeting of the next.

The TCDSB and Dante Alighieri Catholic Community are committed to draw upon the vast store
of knowledge and expertise available in our community and to involve all of our stakeholders in
the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical development of our students.

All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the Council meetings and to become actively
involved in our school community in any way they can. There are 4 regular meetings per year.
Please consult the Dante Calendar for specific dates and times at www.tcdsb.org.

THE ONTARIO CODE OF CONDUCT
Purpose of the Code

Subsection 301(1) of Part XIII of the Education Act states that “the Minister may establish a code
of conduct governing the behaviour of all persons in schools”. Subsection 301(2) sets out the
purposes of this provincial code of conduct, as follows:

• To ensure that all members of the school community, especially people in positions of
authority, are treated with respect and dignity.
• To promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic
life of the school community.
• To maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner
characterized by respect and civility.
• To encourage the use of non-violent means to resolve conflict.
• To promote the safety of people in the school.
• To discourage the use of alcohol and illegal drugs.
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Respect, Civility, and Responsible Citizenship

All members of the school community must:
• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws;
• demonstrate honest and integrity;
• respect differences in people, their ideas, and their opinions;
• respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin,
colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability;
• respect the rights of others;
• show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
• take appropriate measures to help those in need;
• seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict
peacefully;
• respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of
authority;
• respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and
teaching;
• not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority.

Safety

All members of the school community must not:
• engage in bullying behaviors;
• commit sexual assault;
• traffic weapons or illegal drugs;
• give alcohol to a minor;
• commit robbery;
• be in possession of any weapon, including firearms;
• use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
• cause injury to any person with an object;
• be in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal
drugs;
• inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person;
• engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias;
• commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to
property located on the premises of the school.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

School Boards

School boards provide direction to their schools to ensure opportunity, academic excellence,
and accountability in the education system. It is the responsibility of school boards to:

• develop policies that set out how their schools will implement and enforce the provincial
Code of Conduct and all other rules that they develop that are related to the provincial
standards that promote and support respect, civility, responsible citizenship, and safety;
• review these policies regularly with students, staff, parents, volunteers, and the
community;
• seek input from school councils, their Parent Involvement Committee, their Special
Education Advisory Committee, parents, students, staff members, and the school
community;
• establish a process that clearly communicates the provincial Code of Conduct and school
board codes of conduct to all parents, students, staff members, and members of the
school community in order to obtain their commitment and support;
• develop effective intervention strategies and respond to all infractions related to the
standards for respect, civility, responsible citizenship, and safety;
• provide opportunities for all of the staff to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes
necessary to develop and maintain academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching
environment.

Wherever possible, boards should collaborate to provide coordinated prevention and
intervention programs and services, and should endeavour to share effective practices.

Principal

Under the direction of their school boards, principals take a leadership role in the daily
operation of a school.
They provide this leadership by:

• demonstrating care for the school community and a commitment to academic
excellence in a safe teaching and learning environment;
• holding everyone under their authority accountable for his or her bahaviour and actions;
• empowering students to be positive leaders in their school and community;
• communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community.
Teachers and Other School Staff Members

Under the leadership of their principals, teachers and other school staff members maintain
order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and
responsible behaviour.
As role models, teachers and school staff uphold these high standards when they:
• help students work to their full potential and develop their sense of self-worth;
• empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school, and community;
• communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents;
• maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students;
• demonstrate respect for all students, staff, parents, volunteers, and the members of the
school community;
• prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.

Students

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect
for themselves, for others, and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable
behaviour.
Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:
• comes to school prepared, on time, and ready to learn;
• shows respect for himself or herself, for others, and for those in authority;
• refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others;
• follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own actions.

Parents

Parents play an important role in the education of their children, and can support the efforts of
school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful leaning environment for all students.
Parents fulfill their role when they:
• show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress;
• communicate regularly with the school;
• help their child be neat, appropriately dressed, and prepared for school;
• ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time;
• promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival;
• show that they are familiar with the provincial Code of Conduct, the board’s code of
conduct, and school rules;
• encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour;
• assist and support school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child.